BRAIN BASED STRATEGIES

1. Involving students in real-life or authentic problem solving

Sometimes students ask us when and where they need this and that they are learning in school.

Implies that students hardly see the relevance and practical application of what they’re taught in school

Ex:

Students in fifth grade class were challenged by their teacher to determine whether public opinion in their city matched that of the country in public poll regarding the selection of a presidential candidate.

2. Using projects to increase meaning and motivation

Projects may not necessarily be based on problems

Ex: The class will work together on a presentation of World War II memories and produce an extremely poignant recording of a song from the era and display collages of photos and other memorabilia.

3. Simulations and role plays as meaning makers

- Not all curriculum topics can be addressed through authentic problem solving and projects.

- At times these activities are not feasible, so simulations which are not real events, are our resort

Ex:

A sari-sari store to give elementary students experience in making budget, stay within budget and counting change for bills.

4.Classroom strategies using visual processing

“A picture is worth ten thousand words.”

This being the case we make it a point to have visual aids. Visuals are powerful aids in retention as well as in understanding.

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR CLASSIFICATION

FIGURE 9

Categories

FIGURE 10

FIGURE 11 FOR ANALOGY

people as plants

oxygen carbon dioxide

FIGURE 12

Hierarchical Topical Organizer

FIGURE 13

TOPIC

FACT

FACT

FACT

FACT

FACT

FIGURE 14

Web

TopicConcept Theme

FIGURE 15 EPISODE PATTERN ORGANIZER

Duration Place

Time

EPISODE

Person Person Person

EffectCause

FIGURE 16 CONCEPT PATTERN ORGANIZER

ConceptCharacteristic

Example

Example

Example

Characteristic

Example

Characteristic

Example

Example

Example

FIGURE 17 TIME-SEQUENCE PATTERN IN ARBITRATION

Step 1: A dispute between two parties .Step 2: Both parties agree to have another

person listen to their arguments and make a decision for them.

Step 3: The court appoints an arbitrator.Step 4: In a setting much less formal than a

trial, the arbitrator listens to both sides.Step 5: The arbitrator makes his or her final

decision, and the parties must abide by it.

5. Songs, jingles and raps-

Content can be more easily learned when they give it a tune or make it into rhyme

Adding movement to the music or rhyme provides an extra sensory input to the brain and probably enhances learning

6. Mnemonic strategies –

assist students in recalling important information.

Ex: We count the peaks and valleys of our knuckles. StalaCtites - found on the CeilingStalaGmites – found on the Ground

7. Writing strategies –

Make students write their own word problems and make them ask their classmates to solve them or by the use of incomplete statements

Ex: I think calculators… Factoring is easy if… I am hard up in…

In Social Studies, you make them write dialoggues, speeches,letter, newspaper eulogies.

8. Active Review -

Instead of the teacher conducting the review, students are given their turn.

Review days are planned and organized to give enough time for students to prepare for the holding of a review. It also strengthens synapses.

9. Hands-on-activities –

Concrete experience is one of the best ways to make long-lasting neural connections. Aristotle said: “What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing.”